Needs Improvement
#2576 of 2,648 schools in NC
North Rowan Elementary
Elementary School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools
600 Charles St, Spencer, NC 28159
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spencer
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,453 of 1,474
In district
#29 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About North Rowan Elementary
North Rowan Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Spencer, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 413 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. There are 30 full-time equivalent teachers at the school.
North Rowan Elementary's academic performance is rated 2.0 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 2nd percentile among all schools in North Carolina. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate for students across grades is 17%, and the math proficiency rate is 10%. While these scores indicate areas with room for improvement, the school remains committed to student development and academic growth.
The setting of North Rowan Elementary is rural, situated near Spencer in a close-knit community. The school's location provides a supportive environment where students can benefit from personalized attention and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Rowan Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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North Rowan Elementary — Students at North Rowan Elementary score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.
How North Rowan Elementary Compares
See how North Rowan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 8% (2019) to 10% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 13.7% (2025).
Location
600 Charles St, Spencer, NC 28159
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Rowan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is Isenberg Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Churchland Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Rowan Middle Spencer | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| North Rowan High Spencer | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Dole Elementary Salisbury | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Henderson High Salisbury | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Overton Elementary Salisbury | 2.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| ST JOHNS KINDERGARTEN Salisbury | 3.4 mi | — |
| NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury | 3.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Salisbury High Salisbury | 4.2 mi | 3.7 |
| SALISBURY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Salisbury | 4.7 mi | — |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury | 4.4 mi | 6.6 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury | 4.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Rowan Co Early College Salisbury | 5.4 mi | 6.8 |
| SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury | 4.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington | 5.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry | 6.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Koontz Elementary Salisbury | 6.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Erwin Middle Salisbury | 7.3 mi | 5.3 |
| East Rowan High Salisbury | 7.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Faith Academy Charter School Faith | 8.0 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28159 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,396
Median Home Value
$160,300
Median Rent
$1,042/mo
Population
3,181
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
62%
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Rowan Elementary has a median household income of $63,396. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,300, with a median rent of $1,042/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville, NC | 3.5 |
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 3.5 |
| Eastlawn Elementary Burlington, NC | 3.5 |
| Fairgrove Elementary School Fairmont, NC | 3.5 |
| West Rockingham Elementary Rockingham, NC | 3.5 |
| East Albemarle Elementary Albemarle, NC | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Rowan Elementary
What grades does North Rowan Elementary serve?
North Rowan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend North Rowan Elementary?
North Rowan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Rowan Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at North Rowan Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Rowan Elementary rank in NC?
North Rowan Elementary is ranked #2576 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is North Rowan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
North Rowan Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at North Rowan Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Rowan Elementary has 9.9% math proficiency and 17.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Rowan Elementary a charter school?
No, North Rowan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Rowan Elementary a Title I school?
No, North Rowan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Rowan Elementary?
99.0% of students at North Rowan Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (524/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 413
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Rowan County
- Phone
- (704) 639-3042
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rowan-Salisbury Schools- District Enrollment
- 18,110
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,141
- District Rank
- #29 of 32
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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